Juniors Shruthi Sridhar and Shreya Garg were awarded second and third place in the Amgen Bay Area BioGENEius Challenge, the premier competition for high school students that recognizes outstanding research and innovation in the biotechnology field. Shruthi's project, which earned second place honors, investigated the genetic mechanisms of the tumor endothelium using RNA sequencing analytics and developmental trajectory mapping. Shreya studied the roles of CuSB, flagellin and AcrAB-ToIC in bacterial responses to nonlethal concentrations of nanosilver.

Both students are participants in Notre Dame's Independent Science Research Program which provides students with an opportunity to experience the rigors and rewards of real scientific research while still in high school. Students in the program develop an independent plan of study with a science teacher and/or professional mentor.

“CLSI’s Amgen Bay Area BioGENEius Challenge shines a light on some of the Bay Area’s most remarkable high school student researchers. The caliber of the student projects is so impressive and holds great promise for the discoveries of tomorrow that will address our globe’s most pressing challenges,” said Lori Lindburg, President & CEO, California Life Sciences Institute (CLSI). 

For the fourth year in a row, Amgen in South San Francisco hosted the signature competition. In addition to the judging of student poster presentations, CLSI’s Amgen Bay Area BioGENEius Challenge included a keynote address by Ms. Seema Kantak, executive director, Biotherapeutics at Exelixis, as well as a career panel lunch with Amgen scientists and a poster viewing and reception with Amgen employees.